A preschool-aged child who is experiencing respiratory distress is brought to the emergency department by the parents. The child is anxious, has a temperature of 102.8° F (39.3° C), and is drooling from the mouth while leaning forward when sitting. Which action should the nurse prepare the child for next?
Schedule the child for a STAT magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the neck.
Provide a nebulizer treatment with bronchodilators.
Obtain bedside trays for intubation or tracheotomy by the healthcare provider.
Begin prescribed intravenous antibiotic administration.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason: Scheduling the child for a STAT magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the neck is not a priority action for the nurse. MRI is a diagnostic test that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce images of the internal structures of the body. MRI of the neck may be useful to rule out other causes of respiratory distress, such as tumors, abscesses, or foreign bodies, but it is not an urgent procedure. Moreover, MRI requires the child to lie still for a long time, which may be difficult or impossible for a child who is anxious and in respiratory distress.
Choice B reason: Providing a nebulizer treatment with bronchodilators is not a suitable action for the nurse. Nebulizer is a device that delivers medication in the form of a mist that can be inhaled into the lungs. Bronchodilators are medications that relax the smooth muscles of the airways and improve airflow. Nebulizer treatment with bronchodilators may be helpful for children with respiratory distress caused by asthma, bronchiolitis, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but not for children with respiratory distress caused by upper airway obstruction, which is the most likely scenario for this child.
Choice C reason: Obtaining bedside trays for intubation or tracheotomy by the healthcare provider is the most appropriate action for the nurse. Intubation is a procedure that involves inserting a tube through the mouth or nose into the trachea to secure the airway and provide ventilation. Tracheotomy is a surgical procedure that involves creating an opening in the neck and inserting a tube into the trachea to bypass the upper airway obstruction. Both procedures are life-saving interventions for children with respiratory distress caused by upper airway obstruction, which is the most likely scenario for this child. The nurse should prepare the necessary equipment and assist the healthcare provider in performing these procedures.
Choice D reason: Beginning prescribed intravenous antibiotic administration is not a relevant action for the nurse. Antibiotics are medications that kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria that cause infections. Antibiotics may be indicated for children with respiratory distress caused by bacterial infections, such as pneumonia, tonsillitis, or epiglottitis, but not for children with respiratory distress caused by non-infectious causes, such as foreign bodies, anaphylaxis, or congenital anomalies. Moreover, antibiotics are not an immediate intervention for respiratory distress, as they take time to exert their effects.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Coffee-ground emesis is not the development that the nurse should monitor for. This is a sign of bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract, which can be caused by ulcers, gastritis, or esophageal varices. It is not related to the infant's condition, which is likely pyloric stenosis, a narrowing of the opening between the stomach and the small intestine.
Choice B reason: Frequent pauses are not the development that the nurse should monitor for. This is a normal behavior for infants during feeding, as they need to take breaks to breathe and swallow. It is not indicative of any problem or complication.
Choice C reason: Projectile vomiting is the development that the nurse should monitor for. This is a common symptom of pyloric stenosis, a condition that affects about 3 out of 1,000 infants. It occurs when the muscle at the end of the stomach becomes thickened and blocks the passage of food into the small intestine. This causes the infant to vomit forcefully after feeding, leading to dehydration, hunger, and weight loss. The olive-like mass in the upper right abdomen is the enlarged pylorus muscle that can be felt through the skin.
Choice D reason: Arched back is not the development that the nurse should monitor for. This is a sign of pain or discomfort in infants, which can have various causes, such as colic, reflux, or ear infection. It is not specific to pyloric stenosis, although the infant may arch their back due to the abdominal pain caused by the condition. .
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Enalapril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor that is used to treat heart failure in infants. It lowers blood pressure and reduces the workload of the heart. Enalapril is not contraindicated in this scenario and does not need to be withheld.
Choice B reason: Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that is used to treat heart failure and arrhythmias in infants. It increases the contractility of the heart and slows down the heart rate. Digoxin has a narrow therapeutic range and can cause toxicity if the dose is too high or the infant is dehydrated. Digoxin should be withheld if the infant's apical pulse is less than 90 beats/minute, which is the case in this scenario. The nurse should notify the health care provider and monitor the infant for signs of digoxin toxicity, such as nausea, vomiting, bradycardia, and visual disturbances.
Choice C reason: Hydralazine is a vasodilator that is used to treat hypertension and heart failure in infants. It lowers blood pressure and reduces the afterload of the heart. Hydralazine is not contraindicated in this scenario and does not need to be withheld.
Choice D reason: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that is used to treat fluid overload and edema in infants with heart failure. It lowers blood pressure and reduces the preload of the heart. Furosemide is not contraindicated in this scenario and does not need to be withheld
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today